You are here

Leave it alone or stand firm?

zerostepdrama's picture

OSD just moved back to town. For the past 2 1/2 years she has lived 6 hours away and its been more peaceful. One less SD to have to deal with. One less SD that needs Daaadddddyyyy for something.

So she's back. I'm not happy about it at all, especially with the current issues going on with MSD and myself.

OSD and I haven't really been around each other much. She just decided in the beginning since her sisters didnt like me, that she didnt like me. Plus there was Potatogate. Fine. I dont really see her anyways.

I did make an effort a couple of times, and sent her kids presents to which I never received a "thank you", so I stopped.

The last few times I have seen her, I have been cordial. No issues.

My main issues with OSD is that she sticks her nose where it doesn't belong. She is a pot stirrer. She posts passive aggressive stuff on FB to reference issues she has with me and her dad. She didnt invite DH to her wedding, yet has no problem asking him for money. She never really made an effort to see him, until she and her sisters didn't like me. THEN all of a sudden she really loved her dad and wanted to be around him.

With the latest issue with MSD that happened last week. OSD started her crap. She posted stuff on FB and then she sent DH a text and said I need to grow up.

I feel that if she thinks so poorly of me she doesn't need to come over and visit DH at the house.

I hardly liked her before, but would deal with her being around because she lived out of state and never was at the house for longer then an hour.

But now that she lives here I feel that it is different.

I have a "fear" that she is going to be trying to stop by and visit DH and hang out and that is going to be often or happen a lot.

Currently her and her DH, her 2 kids (under 2 yrs old) are living at BM's 2 bedroom apartment with BM's DH, YSD16, MSD19 and her baby2 and SS. So the likelyhood that she will try to come over to get away from BM's is high.

I'm usually at home. I dont want to be in my home and feel uncomfortable because OSD is around.

I feel uncomfortable because I know that OSD has no issue talking shit about me. I feel that she is an adult and if she doesn't like me, then she doesnt need to be in the house that I work hard for. Why does she get to reap the rewards? I know that she is immature and looking for reasons to talk shit about me to her sisters and BM.

I also feel like DH has ZERO boundaries when it comes to the kids and the house, obviously apparent with what happened last week. DH just does not get it. He thinks if he keeps pushing us together that everything will work itself out. It's literally like talking to a brick wall.

On the other hand, this is DH's house too. (not legally, but he does pay for it too). This is his daughter and she has 2 of his grandkids. He doesnt see her behavior as "that bad". I guess I have to be in a physical altercation with them for him to finally take it seriously, like with MSD.

I seriously think he is so used to BM acting a certain way that when his daughters act a certain way he doesnt see it for what it is- TRASHY.

I know I am angry with what happened with MSD and I feel that OSD just added to it with her stupid comments. That is why I am more angrier with her now.

But before the stuff with MSD even happened, I always had this fear of her moving back and having to deal with another skid (there are 4, SS is the only one I get along with). It makes me stabby. Ugh.

In some ways I think I am totally justified in telling DH "No I dont want her around." But in other ways I think I am being too paranoid about stuff and too firm about things. And even if I am right in feeling like she shouldnt be at the house, its EXHAUSTING being the "bitch" all the time and having to put my foot down to DH and do it in a bitchy way because he doesnt understand any other way.

Any advice or input is appreciated.

Maybe ways I can get over it? Or should I stand firm?

Thanks!

Comments

Monchichi's picture

Stand firm. Because let's be honest here, if you don't they will get away with whatever it is they want to.

I clearly told my other half Friday night, I am sick to death of being portrayed as the wicked SM and very soon I will turn in to exactly that if I'm not respected and left alone in peace. It goes for a lot of us to be very frank.

zerostepdrama's picture

I get it... standing firm... but I am so tired and exhausted... lol... is this what defeat looks like? Have I been worn down? I probably need to have a Come to Jesus talk with myself and remind myself why its the way it is.

Monchichi's picture

Awww chick, this is damn tiring. I've only been at it three years and I am so damn tired of allegedly being worse than Cinderella's evil sm. BUT a good pep talk of what I am not prepared to settle for always get's me back on track.

Monchichi's picture

SKids are like the dementors in Harry Potter, sucking the souls out of us ... except not to keep evil in Azkaban.

zerostepdrama's picture

DH is stupid... he thinks I am over reacting... He still sees them as CHILDREN. Like is he going to be okay when they are in their 30s and still acting this way??? Probably!

Cadence's picture

Sounds like you've got the same problem as many here - a DH who will not protect you or uphold needed boundaries. And you're expending so much energy on who said what, and which SD did this, and which one texted that. In reality, you should be looking at your DH. He's the problem, not them. He's the one who married you and spoke vows to you, and thus he is the one betraying you. You seem to be doing quite the mental gymnastics routine to try to avoid that reality.

In fact, by refusing to be on your side, he's hyping up his daughters and ensuring that this behavior continues. They've seen that they can divide and conquer very easily, so why would they stop?

Your DH has severely failed you.

Here's what he could be doing:

"DH, MSD cannot come in this house." "Okay, zerostepdrama. Your safety and comfort are important to me, and this is your house, too, so I'll keep her out." Then you would have peace in your home and you also would not have been physically attacked in your home. And if that somehow happened, your DH would not sit back and let you be attacked because it looked like you were "holding your own." He'd intervene and kick his daughter out and call the police on her.

DH gets a text about you. DH replies "I will not tolerate this catty garbage. If you speak ill of zerostepdrama, you are speaking ill of me, too. She is my chosen wife and I will take her side, no matter what."

See how life could be different if your DH either had a pair or respected you enough to use them?

I think that you should eject yourself from the drama (you think you have, but you've been getting down and dirty by getting caught up in the details, which is exactly what his daughters want) and hopefully regain your DH's respect, which will hopefully increase his desire to protect you.

Tell him that none of his kids enter into your household from here on out. He can go wherever to see them, but they are not coming in your house. You were attacked and you should be able to feel safe in your own home. If he doesn't like that, he can leave, too, since failing to protect you is about as disgusting as the behavior of the daughter who attacked you.

zerostepdrama's picture

I agree with what you say.

Really the details shouldnt matter. What should matter is my DH protecting me and our marriage. I do blame DH, I really do. Had he set boundaries A LONG time ago, things wouldnt be like this. But his kids are adults too so they are accountable for their actions.

It really confuses me with DH because if anyone else talked to me like the way his kids have, he would be all over in a heartbeat.

Cadence's picture

"I do blame DH, I really do. Had he set boundaries A LONG time ago, things wouldnt be like this. But his kids are adults too so they are accountable for their actions."

They are accountable for their actions, but DH is failing as a first line of defense, leaving you open to their bad behavior.

Holding DH responsible for his failures as a husband does not exempt the SKs from responsibility for their choices. It's not an either/or and the common denominator is always your DH. I feel that you focus on the kids so you can distance yourself from that reality. I know it must be painful for you, but just try to take a look at how you routinely deflect blame from him, and he can't even be bothered to deflect the potential for his daughter physically assaulting you. That isn't fair.

zerostepdrama's picture

Agree. I feel that I hold him accountable. "but DH is failing as a first line of defense, leaving you open to their bad behavior." This is 100% accurate.

zerostepdrama's picture

He is such a good husband except when it comes to this. And thankfully we dont have to worry about it much, but when we do its usually BIG.

I would NEVER allow my son to treat him the way that his kids have treated me. He thinks because they dont live in the house that its okay!

Oh he doesnt have it in him to demand respect.

zerostepdrama's picture

Agree and well said.

I have said it before to him, like why have us all together in the house and its uncomfortable? It makes no sense. Because its the easiest for him.

I want him to just leave me alone about it. Let them not like me and let me not like them in peace. LOL.

twoviewpoints's picture

If nothing else, you want to stand firm on absolutely no uninvited visitors. Scheduled in advance visits only. That's a must. If visits from this SD is allowed she should be told not to bring along the banned skids.

If you decide no visits in the home, you will have to not fuss if DH occasionally makes arrangements to visit her/grandbabies outside the home. With or without you, whichever is better for you. If you, son and Dh can occasionally meet with her and her family for lunch or perhaps an afternoon in the park and you're comfortable with that, fine. If not, let dh do it without you.

You might consider inviting to a outside backyard cookout and see how it goes. You're under no obligation to host guest that don't behave and/or bad mouth you. Surely dh can understand that his daughter can't openly bash you online and then expect you to graciously host her in your home?

zerostepdrama's picture

Surely dh can understand that his daughter can't openly bash you online and then expect you to graciously host her in your home? ******* RIGHT!!!!!!!! This!!!!!!!!! It's like talking to a brick wall. Does he not understand????

Oh he can visit her anywhere he wants, as long as its not at my house. I have no interest in a relationship with her at all. She is TOO much like BM and has shown me who she really is.

Cadence's picture

"Does he not understand????"

He doesn't want to, because, to him, it's not worth the trouble. Your peace of mind, your ability to feel comfort in your own home, your ability to know that his children aren't actively denigrating you while he stays silent... none of those things are worth the trouble to him.

Personally, I think you're worth way more than that, and I hope you do, too.

zerostepdrama's picture

BM told DH the other day "My kids and grandkids will always live with me." LOL OKaaayyyyy 3/4 of those kids are adults. Whatever crazy lady.

Supposedly OSD is staying with BM until they find their own place. But one of the reasons they left this state was because they had bad credit and couldnt find an apartment.

I thought about telling DH- 1 more chance. I will overlook the latest b.s. from her, but anything else moving forward and she's done. But I dont want to regret that.

NoWireCoatHangarsEVER's picture

well, we have learned that when one feels "stabby" and sticks a bar patron in the hand with a knife, there are no reprecussions legally. so just bare that in mind.

Personally I think if you let OSD in the house, it will eventually replay itself the same way the situation with MSD played out. Why open yourself up to that? I do get what your saying - that he pays half the bills - but she was raised exactly the same way MSD was raised. Why your SS acts decent, I don't know, maybe he's a genetic abnomally.

zerostepdrama's picture

When BM and DH divorced, SS lived with DH. So out of the 4 kids, SS was raised mostly by DH, the girls mostly by BM.

Yes- the more OSD is around the more things that we are both going to do to irritate each other and have fuel for the fire.

moeilijk's picture

Are you telling me there are 10 people in a 2 bdrm apartment? Three kids under 2, and SEVEN people 16+?

Before reading comments: Stand firm. If DH wants her over, he can supervise. That means - she and her DH/offspring are in his company at all times. He needs to be the host and provide meals/snacks (out of his budget) and clean up after them.

I might tell him directly, "Look, DH, I'm not comfortable with how OSD has behaved towards me in the past, so I can't play the hostess with the mostest. But as long as you're willing to put the work into having her and her family over as guests, that's fine with me since she hasn't done anything violent or illegal. I am telling you now, though, that if you find it too much work to make sure no one is wandering off and to do the shopping, food prep, cleaning, etc, that I am not going to be able to help you. So I totally understand if you feel more comfortable seeing them out of the house, where there's less just less work involved."

After reading comments: I would not even get into giving her one more chance with DH. If your line in the sand is violence/illegal behaviour, then let it stand. No need to discuss with DH. Sometimes these DH's think a conversation means there is wiggle room. (Like when the 'talk about it' and call it discipline? Not effective, so just don't discuss anymore.) If she comes over and she's HIS problem, that's fine. If she suddenly costs you time, money, energy - then DH isn't pulling his weight on that one.

IMHO, she can whisper under her breath until she's blue in the face, who cares? She wants to behave that way, out of your sight and out of your hearing, meh.

zerostepdrama's picture

I'm usually pretty good about ignoring the comments and letting them roll off of my back, but I guess with everything that happened last Sunday I am just more emotional and sensitive to it.

And yes- BM and her DH and YSD there full time. SS sometimes. MSD and her baby sometimes. (More often then not). And now OSD,her DH and 2 kids that are under the age of 2.

Plus some cats and a dog (?).

2 bedroom apartment. Shared outdoor space with neighbors.

moeilijk's picture

Zero, what I was trying to say was that YOU can arrange things so that you don't have any contact with OSD. (Sometimes I talk a lot and the point isn't so clear, sorry!)

If this was DH's best friend, who you just can't stand, you'd find ways to avoid him/her - and avoid all the work associated with him/her. Same thing. DH isn't going to step up for you, he's blind to this, so you just create a situation where you get to be blind too. You don't want to hear about it, see any mess or expense, do any work, etc etc. Sounds great! Almost like OSD is invisible... perrrrrfect!

zerostepdrama's picture

I guess I feel like the only way to make her "invisible" to me, if she is over is to hide out in my bedroom and I dont want to do that.

I get what you are saying though. Gotta think about this more though and how to accomplish this.

Delilah's picture

I think my own dh would have been like this if I had allowed him to continue unheeded and without turning into the ice bitch for him to finally realise I was serious.

Your osd has already blown her last chance surely? I get you are likely looking for any way to avoid further stress and upset for yourself by telling yourself...oh I will give her ONE last chance...however she was texting your dh about you and rather nastily may I add. These adults need to understand this is YOUR home, YOURS. Sure dh lives there and its his home too, but that possession, entitlement ends right there and doesnt extend to them. They are like my dhs ex, family, they say and do repugnant things towards me yet they feel they can come to my house and expect me to make way for them? Hell to the f@ck no! Why give your skids and dh yet more sense of entitlement? They get it from him you know and hes making it worse by excusing it.

You need to start not giving a flying rats arse about dh and his kids. Sit dh down and tell him really calmly, neutrally and pleasantly (act) that given the shambles of dh ignoring your wishes and creating a dynamic whereby it gave his adult dd the opportunity to verbally and physically attack you in your home, thankfully just narrowly missing hurting you and her baby, that you want to make it crystal clear that none of his kids are welcome outside or in. Osd involved herself by being verbally abusive about you and you want no part of them and their dysfunctional drama. Tell him if ypu see, hear her near your home or when youhave been absent the police will be called, if you find out he has invited her or is failing to respect this then his bags will be packed and he can also leave. MEAN IT! When he rages about this, tells you you are being unreasonable or whatever his excuses and argument against this brings, then tell him calmly "I dont care how you think I am being or what you think, as clearly you dont give a damn how I feel or think, so from now on I am taking a leaf out of your book. I dont care what your view of me or this is, Idont care what you say about me as you say nasty things to me when your child is vile to me and could have killed me and when I have made an effort. So I might as well be that awful, unreasonable person you are always accusing me of being".

Then ignore his accusations or attempts to talk about it. No need as decision has been made. Honey this man is treating you as ifyou have done awful things, not made any concessions on his behalf, so why dont you DO the crime you are being accused of? As currently dh is ALREADY treating you poorly and ignorantly, so why worry about how hes going to react about what you want to say? Hes already reacting and punishing you!

zerostepdrama's picture

I'm weird at times in that someone can do something wrong and I'm like "Im done!" and then others can do it over and over until finally I'm done.

OSD and I have never had words face to face to each other. We have had a lot of power plays. And I really dont want to keep doing that or do that moving forward. It's stupid and time consuming.

In some ways I figure- if OSD and I can be on cordial terms, its one less person I have to deal with, one less skid that hates me. But I think that confuses things for DH. So it's probably best to draw a line in the sand and stick to it.

Easylikesundaymornin's picture

Zero ~ F that hiding in your room.

It's your house , your home , your safe place not hers. She has given up her safe haven to find hers in others.

Keep the calm in your home ~ no need for evil to step foot in your domain. He can interact w her somewhere else. I think that having her in your home now would shift everything n send a weakened message.

He needs to calm the storm with her in neutral ground not your home.

But with saying that ..... I wonder ... My SD will NEVER be allowed permitted or accepted into MY home ~ although SO & I share this home together. It is my children's sanctuary n I will not allow her behavior to control what happens in my home. I have given her more than enough chances to behavior n she doesn't get its MY home not hers. She thinks she can run my agenda ~ not happening Veruca. My house my rules.

Do I think anything gets through to her ~ NO. She gets her Dad , I get peace n she gets her meals paid for when she's hungry n bored. Cause Daddy will never say NO to her. My issue with this is ~ all they are doing is giving them what they want n they are never held accountable ever ~ BUT you & I are held accountable for our feelings of anger n hurt but ~ why is it hypocritical ??? Why does his DD's feelings matter more than ours ??? Why can't he recognize the hurt ??? How pathetic is the morsels she gives you ~ you lap them up like a starving puppy dog. Her behavior is wrong but it's acceptable ~ my behavior isn't wrong but I m being unreasonable ~ someone explain this to me.

zerostepdrama's picture

Right! I wont hide out, not in my own home. And I dont like people making me feel uncomfortable, so that wont work either.

Oh and I 100% agree with your last part. Hecky why is DH's feelings more important then mine, especially when he is the one that has caused all of this drama.

Easylikesundaymornin's picture

As time goes by I find myself ~ thinking of the hypocritical issues n double standards n why I m held accountable but she is not. My head hurts ~ baffled beyond belief ~ why is it so acceptable to just forget what SD does but he would remember every wrong word I use to describe something. Selective memory is not becoming of you.
He claims that BM is a spin Dr ~ but what it really is ~ is that they both are spin Dr ~ do as I say not as I do. They can't walk the walk ~ but sure can talk the talk.

It's hilarious when I hear him say shit about others people's lives n rip someone apart n I remember stories that I could actually switch the chsrcasters name n insert Veruca.

Like some young kids he works with ~ the kids life is so eff'd up he is 16 n lives with his gf's family. ; ummmmmmm I could very well say ~ just like Veruca ~ she lived w Johnny n his family for over 2 years bc your lovely EXW had to move in with boyfriend de jour ~ n never told you that your under age daughter was living at her bf's. But bc your sister said something in front of you about your daughter moving ~ I got the shit end of that stick. Not your EXW, your daughter , or your sister ~ but me. Cause exactly what did I do wrong there ??? Hmmmmmm nadda fuckin thing !!! Yeap ~ I m tired of being your collateral damage for a relationship you refuse to fix properly ~